Announcement at Phila. Front Page News, Joel Perlish Trip Celebration

Announcement at Phila. Front Page News, Joel Perlish Trip Celebration

DOUBLE COAST-TO-COAST
TRANSCANADA HIGHWAY
THREE COUNTRIES

JOEL PERLISH.COM
SUMMER '08 OR BUST


- TEST EMAIL TO GROUP -
- With Appendix One -

Okay, sports fans… just as all the gear coalesced into my bags from on the tv room floor, so the planning is beginning to come together for this little around the block trip. Arrived in Cherry Hill, NJ, yesterday, at the home of my close friend, Ellie. I will leave on what should be a trip of somewhat more than 10,000 miles tomorrow morning. A little gathering should be seeing me off around 10 am.
The last few days have been a flurry of activity with continued trip planning, finishing up about seven photo albums for pick up, and the usual business at hand.
But as all the doubts surface and the confidence rallies, the excitement is definitely building. Launching oneself into the unknown always has an element of nervousness and outright fear. But with all the steady and intricate planning, the good wishes from friends, and the experience behind me, it's more like wonder than worry. And it's more like real living than just getting by day to day.
The purposes of this particular ride are few, but all strong - to ride, to write, to visit folks rarely seen, and to learn from folks newly met. There will be little deviating from those three - until Canada at least. I've covered most of this USA ground on motorcycle or bicycle, but the TransCanada highway from one end to another - now THAT'S another story.
A couple notes:
- It's always good to hear from folks on the road. If you have suggestions, or ideas of things I should mention, or questions about things please don't hesitate to write me.
- This technology is quite amazing, eh? I often think back, and will often refer to here, my 1980 cross country bicycle ride (4,300+ miles, three months, ocean-to-ocean), and there was no cell phone, no laptop to bring along, no internet, no wireless connection to the hearts of folks back home. How different it was!!! (BTW, anyone with Skype out there? I'm “joelperlish” on Skype. If you see me on, give a shout. Might not be able to speak long, but it would sure be a hoot to connect that way. For those who don't know, Skype, among other things, is a way to speak and SEE the other person talking in real time. It can be between any two people ANYwhere in the world as long as they have the equipment, the connection, and the software - and it's FREE.
- There will likely be one or two pictures with each journal entry. But I'm working on a site which will have many of the pictures of things I describe for those who have the inclination to visit there.
- I'd love to have a tenacious proofreader out there who could send me corrections in spelling or grammar. And who could give me true feedback about how the writing is going.
- I'll be writing on a white 13” MacBook. And most of the time will be transmitting to the internet through a wireless Verizon VZ device that plugs into the laptop, and then connects right to the broadband spectrum wirelessly - from just about anywhere. Just amazing!

- It's wonderful having you folks on my shoulders - somewhat like a Greek Chorus whispering in my ear along the way. Reading is a dying enjoyment. But it's words, and the thoughts they spark along, that is part of what makes being human so wonderful and so glorious. And, it's my hope that I can string along a few words that translate well some of my experience this summer. So that vicariously you all can be riding along and learning with me. One thing for sure, I'll let you know how things go - the good fortune and the bad luck, the happinesses and the down days - and there will be nothing scripted about this little journey….

(*)(*)(*)(*

Below is Appendix One - All the gear that's brought along… Perhaps you'll find the list a little dry, but it's none-the-less one of the most important things one can do before such a journey. Think I missed anything???

WHAT'S PACKED

TANK BAG….
top pocket
mc gloves, hat, dew rag, hat, daily map
right pocket
flash light, ear plugs
left pocket
(empty)

main pocket
right side - gas cost, day record
inside front - ez pass, gps
front - pens, nail file, lip balm, knife, mini-tape recorder, credit card calculator
left side - camelbak water bladder
main area - binoculars, powder, sony dsc-h7 zoom camera, sony video camera

THIGH BAG…
main pocket
booklet w/license, credit card, cash, mc club cards, motow card
outside pocket 1 - sony cybershot camera


LEFT SIDE PANNIER…
main pocket - three sets clothes (shorts,shirt,socks,handerchief)
- vest, run shoes, ice vest, sleep sack, pillow case
outside pocket - (key lime lotion) - little pocket - clothespins

RIGHT SIDE PANNIER…
main pocket - mothers bike cleaner, rain jacket, mc cover, big plastic bags, future maps

outside pocket - book: zen & art of mc maintenance, address labels, extra set sunglasses
- first aid pack (bandaids,gauze,antibiotic
- bungee cords, air gauge
inside pocket - five copies of: registration, title, drivers license (for mexico) and
canada nonresident inter-province motor vehicle liability insurance card

KURYAKYN GRANTOUR BAG (ON BACK SEAT)
main pocket - macbook bag: macbook, verizon vz broadband device, portable hard drive,
card reader, extra mini-dv tape, firewire cords
- handkerchiefs

- bathroom bag: vitamins, advil, toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste, powder,
q-tips, loofa, shave cream, razor, spare contact lenses
- stationary packet: rubber bands, clips, writing utensils, stamps, blank labels
- tech bag: sony battery chargers, gps charger, macbook charger and extra
battery, 3 to 2 plug adapter, video camera charger

top pocket - various straps and handles
outside top pocket - various rain covers, rags, gas tank rag, toilet paper

right pocket - all-purpose tool, rope length, masking tape, tie downs

left pocket - wet ones, sunblock, contact lenses-solutions-extra glasses


REAR RACK GYM BAG…
- insulated bag for ice packs, cold water, snacks, misc.


MISC ITEMS - helmet, yellow bike armor jacket, armor pants, sunglasses, watch,
treo phone, mc tools and owner's manual in bike.



OTHER INFO -
- all clothing (and anything needed to be) in plastic ziplock bag
- be SURE to zip EVERYthing after going into bag